Minister Shatter secures agreement on European Protection Order 8th March 2013

EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers approve proposals on the mutual recognition of protection measures in civil matters at a Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Brussels today. Key Data Protection reforms were also discussed.

EU Justice Ministers, led by Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, have reached agreement with the European Parliament on proposals aimed at protecting vulnerable citizens as they move between Member States. The proposal on mutual recognition of protection measures in civil matters will ensure that a protection order, such a barring order for domestic violence, can still be enforced if the victim moves from one EU Member State to another.

The agreement was reached on the second day of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, chaired by Minister Shatter, which is taking place in Brussels from 7-8 March.

Speaking after the Council, Minister Shatter said "The agreement reached on the European protection order (civil) is an important step in improving the rights of victims of crime in the EU and sends a strong signal that crime, in particular gender based violence, harassment and intimidation, is unacceptable in our society".

The Minister added "This was very timely given that today is International Women’s Day and this is a Regulation of exceptional importance to the lives of women, in particular, who are more frequently victims of domestic violence. They will now be able to rely on protection measures obtained from a national authority when they travel to other Member States."